The theft of vagrants' belongings in downtown Beijing has prompted a public outcry and calls to better protect homeless people's rights.

A group of more than 50 uniformed, but unidentified, individuals took the possessions of homeless people who were staying on a street near the Yongdingmen long-distance bus station on Saturday afternoon, witnesses said on Wednesday.

"They forcibly took away quilts, winter clothing and packs of instant noodles that were donated by volunteers," said a bus driver who witnessed the incident but declined to give his name.